Called In Spite of Flaws: Uncommon Women Called by God - The DV Walking Wounded:
One of the most powerful themes throughout Scripture is that God often calls people not because of their perfection, but in spite of their flaws. This includes women who carried shame, sin, or a sense of unworthiness—yet God saw them as essential to His plan. Their stories remind us that our brokenness does not disqualify us; in fact, it may be the very reason He chooses us.
Rahab: From Prostitute to Protector
Rahab was a Canaanite prostitute in Jericho. By society’s standards, she was far from worthy. Yet when Israelite spies came into her city, Rahab chose faith over fear. She hid them and declared: “The Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below” (Joshua 2:11). Because of her courage, she and her family were spared, and she later became part of the lineage of Jesus (Matthew 1:5). Her story shows that God values faith and obedience more than reputation.
The Samaritan Woman: A Witness Born of Brokenness
In John 4, Jesus meets a Samaritan woman at the well. She had five husbands and was living with a man who was not her husband—something that likely left her feeling ashamed and excluded. Yet Jesus reveals Himself to her as the Messiah, and she becomes the first person in her town to spread the Good News: “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did” (John 4:29). Her testimony brought many to believe, proving that God can use even our painful pasts for His glory.
Mary Magdalene: Delivered and Devoted
Mary Magdalene is often misunderstood. Luke 8:2 tells us she had been possessed by seven demons before Jesus healed her. Her past could have branded her as unworthy, but instead, she became one of Jesus’ most devoted followers. She was present at His crucifixion (John 19:25) and was the first witness of His resurrection (John 20:16–18). Mary shows us that no darkness is too deep for God’s calling.
Bathsheba: From Scandal to Redemption
Bathsheba is remembered for her entanglement with King David (2 Samuel 11). Though she was caught in scandal, God brought redemption from her story. She became the mother of Solomon, one of Israel’s wisest kings, and appears in the genealogy of Jesus (Matthew 1:6). Bathsheba’s life illustrates how God can redeem even situations marked by sin and brokenness.
Lessons for Us Today
These women remind us that God is not waiting for us to be perfect before He calls us. Instead, He meets us where we are—whether in sin, shame, or brokenness—and transforms our lives for His purposes. Paul echoes this truth in 1 Corinthians 1:27–29: “But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.”
If you feel unworthy or disqualified, remember: God delights in rewriting stories. Your scars, like those of Rahab, the Samaritan woman, Mary Magdalene, and Bathsheba, can become part of a testimony that points others to His grace.
Just remember, God qualifies the called, not calls the qualified. He knows what He is doing. He doesn’t want the holier-than-thou people that won’t give you the time of day at church. Your relationship is with Him and not them and you will be more believable in your testimony than they will — because you have lived life.
Love and light! <3
